Reporters Committee debuts media law podcast
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press announces the release of a free, bi-weekly audio podcast, “News Media Update,” which is available for download and subscription directly from the Reporters Committee and through popular podcast services.
The podcast supplements the Reporters Committee’s biweekly newsletter News Media Update and covers recent developments and trends in media law that affect journalists and media attorneys. Topics include libel, invasion of privacy, freedom of information, reporter’s privilege (keeping sources and information confidential), access to courts, newsgathering rights, and prior restraints.
“We’re very excited to be using technology to reach a new audience for the Reporters Committee,” said Executive Director Lucy A. Dalglish. “We believe younger journalists and media lawyers in particular are accustomed to receiving their news via audio ‘podcasts.’ We hope they enjoy receiving information from us in this new format as much as we have enjoyed learning to use this transformative new technology over the past several weeks.”
The podcast will feature reporting from the Reporters Committee attorneys and interns on major media law developments from all over the country. Each episode will also contain an interview with someone involved in a major media law case or controversy.
The inaugural episode features stories about a Virginia controversy over access to concealed handgun permits; a Florida high court ruling on secret dockets; the 20-year sealing of depositions from the Columbine High School shootings; and the controversy over an Illinois Supreme Court justice’s record libel judgment. Additionally, journalism fellow Rani Gupta interviews Reporters Committee executive director Lucy Dalglish about blogger Josh Wolf’s recent release from prison.
How to access the News Media Update podcast:
You can access the podcast directly from the Reporters Committee’s website at www.rcfp.org/podcast . Simply click on the link for the episode you wish to hear and the audio should play using your computer’s default audio program. Neither an iPod nor iTunes software is necessary to hear the podcast this way.
To sign up for a free subscription to News Media Update Podcast via iTunes, simply open iTunes, click on “iTunes Store” and search for “Reporters Committee” or “News Media Update.” You will then be given the option to subscribe to the podcast. Once you click “Subscribe,” iTunes will automatically check for and download new episodes each time you open iTunes. Downloaded episodes will then be available for transfer to your iPod. You can unsubscribe at any time. The podcast is also available from podcastalley.com.